Dad shoots wife, daughter, and 11-year-old son in the chest, then turns gun on himself in gruesome murder-suicide: Cops

Police believe a family found dead in a California home this week died as the result of a murder-suicide.

According to KTLA, Michael and Amy Birnkrant and their children were apparently killed with a gunshot to the chest inside the Pacific Hills residence. A firearm was reportedly recovered near Michael Birnkrant’s body.

There were no apparent signs of forced entry into the home, police said.

The four bodies, which included the couple’s adult daughter and 11-year-old son, were transported to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office for examination Friday evening.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Rodney Moore said the incident “appears to be a murder-suicide in which the husband shot and killed three individuals and then turned the gun on himself.”

Police reports indicate the bodies were located in different areas of the home Friday morning.

Authorities responded to the residence after a received a request by Amy Birnkrant’s friends to check on her welfare. According to KHTS, the mother operated a daycare inside the home.

As of the latest updates provided by police, it is unclear how long the bodies had been in the home prior to their discovery. There has also been no indication of whether investigators believe there was a motive for the shootings.

Based on the nature of the investigation, locals are advised that there does not appear to be an active threat to the community as a result of the deaths. Police are reportedly not looking for any additional suspects.